Horrific crash by Ducati rider Michele Pirro at around 350kmh halts Italian MotoGP practice

WATCH: Italian MotoGP rider Michele Pirro was taken to hospital after flying off his Ducati at an incredible speed in second practice for the Italian Grand Prix.

Michele Pirro suffered a serious crash in practice for the Italian GP.

ITALIAN MotoGP rider Michele Pirro was taken to hospital after crashing his Ducati heavily in second practice for the Italian Grand Prix.

The factory test rider, who is entered as a wild card, lost control at the end of the main 350kph straight at the Mugello circuit and was thrown off the bike with the session brought to a halt.

He was confirmed as conscious, after being treated by doctors as he lay in the gravel, and transferred to hospital in nearby Florence.

Michele Pirro lies motionless after his crash.

Michele Pirro is carried off the track after his crash.

Italian media reports said he would be kept under observation overnight but had not suffered any broken bones or serious injury.

Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti told the Gazzetta dello Sport that Pirro could not recall the crash but was talking.

Ducati teammate Jorge Lorenzo said the entire team had been shaken.

“The fall was scary, I saw him after it happened and I don’t ever want to see that again,” said Lorenzo.

“Michele is a friend. We have to wait 24 hours before we understand what happened. The cause I don’t know,” the three-time world MotoGP champion said, adding the problem could have been the brakes.